Brazil votes in tight run-off between Lula & Bolsonaro

Brazil prepares to cast its decisive vote on Sunday, when incumbent left-wing leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his right-wing opponent Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of the nation's former president, will compete in the presidential runoff. Lula, who has served as president since 2023, is aiming for a fourth term, while his challenger promises a more aggressive approach to crime and a political reboot.

Lula, now 80, held the presidency from 2003 to 2010 and seeks to extend his tenure. Flávio Bolsonaro, on the other hand, made his debut in the Senate in 2019 and is contesting for the top office for the first time. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, served as president from 2019 to 2023 and is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence for a failed coup attempt and health issues.

The first round of voting saw Flávio Bolsonaro leading Lula by over two million votes. The senator also enjoys the backing of several eliminated candidates, and the right-wing party bolstered its presence in Congress during the initial round.